Luke 1:46-49 “Mary responded, ‘Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me.’”
In recent years a new term has come in vogue. When something good or exciting happens, it is not uncommon to hear a person speak one simple word that expresses their delight—“Sweet!”
It is impossible for most people to think of Christmas without some thought of sweet things—literally and metaphorically. Sweetness is part of the holiday.
Mary understood the sweetness of Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth. As Mary reflected on the fact that God had chosen her as the vessel through whom Jesus Christ would come into the world, she was so overwhelmed with praise that she wrote a song.
In Mary’s song we find an expression of her gratitude for God’s kindness to her. In bearing the Christ-child, Mary knew that she was blessed. Her response, in modern vernacular, was “Sweet!”
We need the same perspective Mary possessed. If we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, Jesus lives in us. Jesus’ presence in us makes us sweet people. Everywhere we go, we go as a person blessed of God. With Mary we too can exclaim, “Sweet!” When we live this way, others are able to taste the sweetness of the Lord through our lives.
Every time something sweet touches your taste buds this Christmas—the cake, the pie, the chocolate, the peppermints—thank God that Jesus in you is the best sweet of all!
PRAYER
Lord, how sweet it is to know you. With you in us, even the bitter things of life are made sweet. Please renew our awareness of how blessed we are. Please forgive us when we complain about life. Take away the ugly spirit of discontentment and replace it with a spirit of praise. May we live our lives in such a way that through our actions, words and attitudes others can taste of your sweetness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
